THE DYNAMIC ELBOW SUSPENSION SPLINT

Elevation of the upper extremity after elbow surgery has rarely been a dvocated and can be difficult to achieve. Usually the extremity is ele vated with the elbow at 90 degrees of flexion, so that swelling from t he hand drains to the elbow but the elbow remains dependent. Excessive swelling causes discomfort and compromised wound healing, makes early mobilization difficult, and predisposes to joint contracture. We repo rt on a dynamic elbow suspension splint, which is analogous to the Tho mas splint used for femoral shaft fractures. The arm is held in full e xtension with an above-elbow plaster slab and is secured to the Thomas splint with skin traction. The splint is suspended on a Balkan frame at an angle of 60 degrees. We prefer to use the new Zimmer Thomas spli nt, because it is radiolucent and has self-adhesive sheepskin supports that can be simply applied. It allows the patient to mobilize in bed and is well tolerated by patients and nursing staff. The dynamic elbow suspension splint is a useful adjunct after complex elbow surgery or trauma, because it reduces swelling and maintains the elbow in extensi on.